Another Difficult Week...

Elder Milne is still feeling a little down and frustrated about the current circumstances for missionaries in California. He says he is trying hard to hang in there, and he is trying to see the positive in each day. He says he sometimes he gets frustrated because he feels his time could be so much better spent back home in school or working. He misses Peru because they were always busy there, and he was able to feel a sense of accomplishment each day. He vowed to hang in there. He said he is determined to not come home until he has completed his mission! I admire him for this. I have been saying extra prayers for him - I pray if the circumstances can't change, that the Lord will change his heart and the way he sees things. One thing I have learned in life is that it is all based on perception - our perceptions of any given situation will determine our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. 

Letter from Home:

Dear Elder Milne!

I hope this finds you happy, well, and surviving the restrictions placed on your missionary work. I know these restrictions make life as a missionary somewhat miserable, and I know you feel at times that your time could be must better spent, but I also know that Heavenly Father will bless your efforts, and one way or another, His work will progress. 

Dad and I didn’t get to go to see the Lewis’ because the day before we were supposed to go, dad received word that one of his assistants has the corona virus, and dad had to wait six hours in line to be tested starting Sunday morning at 6:30. He will know in a few days if he has it. Hopefully he doesn’t, because that would make both of our worlds difficult.

This coming week I get to see eight different therapy clients. I’m nervous but excited! I’ll also be getting more clients because I’ve finally been approved as a Medicaid provider. Thankfully, I only have nine months left of school and as an intern, then hopefully life can normalize a little for me and dad!

Buster has been enjoying his time in New Mexico! It’s definitely cooler there and he has more room to roam. Carter says Millie is doing well in Cedar City. I wonder if they miss each other! 

I’m sitting on an airplane back to Utah right now! I left the truck for dad and Buster. I hate wearing these stupid masks. I seriously can’t breathe!!! I am so sick of this stupid COVID virus! I’m slowly enjoying my snack and water so I don’t have to feel so claustrophobic! 

Everything else is about the same. You’re definitely not missing much back home! Dallin and Hayley are loving Florida! We will need to visit them soon! Another beach vacation is just what I need!!! Carter and Carley are staying busy with school, work, and Millie. Dad is working like crazy as usual. I don’t know where he gets his energy from!

I pray every day you will witness the Lord’s tender mercies as you do your best to do His work! Look for them each day. They are always there. I also pray you will be kept safe from harm and the evils of this world! Use the extra time you have due to quarantining to really study and understand the scriptures, and to recognize how the Lord speaks to you. This is a time in your life, like no other, where you can really work on strengthening your relationship with your Heavenly Father, your Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. By doing so, you can move forward with a sure foundation of love, light, and knowledge, and the courage and confidence to face whatever may lie ahead. Your Heavenly Father loves you very much, and he is pleased with your desire to serve Him and His Son. 

Gain an unshakable testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. There will be many trials and even persecutions ahead that will try and test your testimony. The world is quickly ripening in iniquity, and only those who have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel can weather the storm. We now live in a day where good is considered evil and evil good. We require the Holy Ghost’s companionship to rightly discern truth from error and good from evil. Our prophet President Nelson has promised us that if we read and study the Book of Mormon each day we will not be deceived. This is a great promise! Use what extra time you have on your mission to really study this magnificent book! As you do, you will come to realize that it was written for our day, and that it not only testifies that Jesus is the Christ, but that it shows us the things we need to do in our day to be preserved as children of God, as a church, and as a nation. Notice the many patterns that are so applicable today! I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart, and I know that it is true!!! 

Hang in there my precious son! I know your struggle is real, but I also know you have a heart filled with courage, faith, and love!! You can do this! I love you to the moon and back!!!

All My Love,

Mom

Letter from Elder Milne:

Hi Mom!

Loved reading this! Thank you so much - keep this coming. I've loved reading the Book of Mormon here and, I've definitely noticed the things that were written for our day today. Love you so much! Tell Dad he's amazing and that I love and appreciate him!